From: Moshood Adebayo
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has expressed the readiness of his administration to take over the National Stadium, Lagos from the Federal Government and transform it from its present deplorable condition to a world class sporting centre.
He spoke, on Wednesday, shortly after the inspection of the facilities at the 45 year old stadium by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalung, who described the stadium as as a disaster and national shame.
The Lagos National Stadium, a multi-purpose stadium in Surulere, comprises an Olympic-size swimming arena and a multipurpose arena used for basketball, volleyball, table tennis, wrestling and boxing matches.
It was used mostly for football matches until 2001. It hosted several international competitions including the 1980 African Cup of Nations final, the 2000 African Cup of Nations final, and FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.
It also served as the main stadium for the 1973 All-Africa Games. It was closed and abandoned in the year 2004.
President Muhammadu Buhari had approved that the Ahmadu Bello Stadium be given to Kaduna State as well as Enugu Stadium and Calabar Stadium to Enugu and Akwa Ibom State Governments respectively.
The governor, who lamented the deplorable conditions of the stadium
expressed preparedness of his administration to hit the ground running towards restoring the old glory of the stadium once officially handed over to the state.
He recalled how enthusiastic and interesting it was for people in the past to visit the stadium even with their families to watch matches and catch fun among others.
Ambode, also said that his government have also decided to prove a point that sports is a sure way to fighting ecession.
His words:: “This visit is very historic. I recall that during our campaign, we promised that we are going to use tourism, entertainment and arts and sports to drive youth employment as well as drive excellence. So, this is just one chapter in that roadmap to growing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Lagos.
He added:“With the state of affairs here, we cannot fold our arms and just leave this monument to just waste away. The last match that was played here was played about fifteen years ago but the truth is this, the inner key to youth empowerment and youth employment is actually in re-establishing this edifice to its real world class standard,”
“What we ask for in Lagos is not as if we are being aggressive, we just think that we need to stand up for leadership here and take over the National Stadium,”
He also commended Dalung for spearheading the move to handover the stadium to the state and expressed optimism that the journey which had started would eventually lead to a formal pronouncement.
Earlier, Dalung lamented the dilapidated condition of the once vibrant stadium, describing it as a national disaster which called for serious and comprehensive action to reposition and return it to its pride of place
“We have gone round and we have seen the edifice in a sorry state. Whatever we can do to arrest the situation, we must do it. In my village, there is an adage, which says once there is fire disaster, there is no choice of liquid and any liquid that can contribute to extinguish the fire, must be mobilized including liquor.
He continued: “But today, we have a disaster and we must do everything possible to extinguish it.“I want to thank the Governor for finding time to come. I have received what I can call football gossip from football federation that if the Surulere Stadium is handed over to Lagos and renovated in six months, the next match of Nigeria against Zambia would be played here,” the minister said.
He also appealed to Governor Ambode to revamp the Stationary Football Club of Lagos.
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Mr. Amaju PInnick and other top government functionaries, accompanied the minister and governor during the tour.
Some of the facilities inspected include the Molade Okoya Tennis Hall, 3000 Capacity Multi-Purpose Indoor Sports Hall, Beach Soccer Pitch, Synthetic Football Pitch and the 38,000 Capacity Main Bowl Football Field.